Styrax tonkinensis- collectin of resinStyrax benzoin   Sumatra benzoin resin  Family: Styraceae    
Benzoin resin is a balsamic resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax. It is used as an antioxidant and fixative.
There are two common kinds of benzoin resin:
- Siam Benzoin is obtained from Styrax tonkinensis, found across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam- contains benzoic acid. More used in the flavor and fragrance industries, such as incense-making and perfumery because of its sweet vanilla-like aroma and fixative properties.
- Sumatra Benzoin is obtained from Styrax benzoin and Styrax paralleoneurus which grows predominantly on the island of Sumatra- contains cinnamic acid in addition to benzoic acid- more commonly used in pharmaceutical preparations.
Commonly called "benzoin", it is called "benzoin resin" here to distinguish it from the chemical compound benzoin. Benzoin resin does not contain this crystalline compound.
Benzoin is also called gum benzoin or gum benjamin, but "gum" is incorrect as benzoin is not a polysaccharide.
ACTIONS
1. Antiseptic.[1]
2. Expectorant.[1]
3. Astringent.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Sumatra Benzoin is an ingredient of Friar's Balsam which is widely used:
- topically on wounds and ulcers to protect and disinfect the skin and to treat mouth ulcers.[1]
- as an inhalation in coughs, colds and bronchitis.[1]
PREPARATIONS
ORIGIN: Obtained by making triangular wound in the tree, from which the sap exudes and hardens on exposure to the air. The first exudate forms the "almonds" of benzoin, followed by greyish-brown resinous lumps: These are compressed together into a solid mass. The greyish brown resin alone is known as Palembang Benzoin and is considered to be of inferior quality.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Cinnamic, benzoic and sumaresinolic acid esters. Mainly coniferyl cinnamate, cinnamyl cinnamate (styracin), coniferyl benzoate accounting for up to 90%.[2,3]
Free acids, benzoic acid 10-20%, cinnamic acid up to 30%, and sumaresinolic acid.[2,3]
Benzaldehyde. Vanillin, up to about 1%.[2,3]
All are variable depending on source.[1]
Friar's Balsam or Compound Benzoin Tincture (USP) contains Benzoin, Cape aloes and storax (liquidambar resin). This was formulated by Dr Joshua Ward around 1760.
Preliminary studies have shown that the lipophilic fraction of benzoin stimulates phagocytosis.[4]
References
[1] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
[2] Encycloopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics. Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980) NY
[3] Martindale. The Extra Pharmocopoeia, 27th Ed. Pub. The Pharmaceutical Press (1977) UK
[4] Delaveau, P. et al. (1980) Planta Med. 40, 49
Research

Antibacterial, anti-biofilm and anticancer potentials of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using benzoin gum (Styrax benzoin) extract.
Du J, Singh H, Yi TH.
Abstract
This study described a simple and green approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) employing benzoin gum water extract as a reducing and capping agent and their applications. The AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction pattern, field emission transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The AgNPs showed promising antimicrobial activity against various pathogens (Gram-negative, Gram-positive and fungus) and possessed high free radical scavenging activity (104.5 ± 7.21 % at 1 mg/ml). In addition, the AgNPs exhibited strong cytotoxicity towards human cervical cancer and human lung cancer cells as compared to the normal mouse macrophage cells. Moreover, the AgNPs possessed anti-biofilm activity against Escherichia coli, and compatibility to human keratinocyte HaCaT cells, which suggests the use of dressing with the AgNPs in chronic wound treatment. Therefore, AgNPs synthesized by benzoin gum extract are comparatively green and may have broad spectrum potential application in biomedicine.
PMID: 27495263 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-016-1666-x Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2016 Dec;39(12):1923-1931. Epub 2016 Aug 5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov